In the heyday of canals, each canal company employed lengths men who literally looked after the maintenance and running of a designated length of canal. 200 years later, SVCC had the idea of recruiting modern day volunteer lengths men (or more accurately Lengths persons) to carry out a similar function today. SVCC divided up the canal into approximately 1 kilometre stretches and sought to recruit individuals to be our first line of defence in looking after the canal. Since being introduced in 2017, this concept has been stunningly successful, and it was very easy to recruit a band of conscientious and dedicated people who are willing to give up a few hours a week to look after their length.
SVCC trains and equips the lengths persons with the necessary simple tools and have clear instructions as to what is expected of them. It is expected that they patrol their length at least once a fortnight and send a report into SVCC as well as to the volunteer managers of SDC and CCT in order that they can action any reports. Additionally, the lengths persons are highly visible in their hi viz bibs labelled the Cotswold Canal Partnership. They have become a regular and welcoming presence on the canal, acting as canal ambassadors, guides and sources of information. By having an intimate knowledge of their patch, the lengths persons have become the eyes and ears of the maintenance teams and are respected and greatly valued. Our lengths persons are all ages, both male and female and from differing backgrounds but all bring a compulsive enthusiasm and pride to the job.
The duties for lengths persons have been written by experienced Canal managers and refined in the light of experience. Here are their key duties:
The cost of equipping and maintaining the lengths persons is modest and is currently funded by SVCC. Of the 15 lengths that cover the whole of Phase 1 from Saul Junction to Bourne Lock, 12 lengths are currently operationally covered and are being diligently inspected. This program has had a really marked effect on the appearance of the canal. Because the canal is being kept so tidy, there is a peer pressure on the public to keep it clean and so littering on the towpath has been significantly reduced. So too is the incidence of dogs fouling the towpath aided by the sight of untrained dogs (and their owners) having the results of their actions circled by biodegradable spray markers drawing people’s attention to a) avoid stepping on this waste and b) shaming the owner and other dog owners of their selfishness. It’s been a great success.